Bottle Closure with Two Interlocking Parts  One Fitting Over the Other

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a bottle closure for bottles containing liquids at high pressure, such as bottles of sparkling wine, the closure having a first part and a second part, the first part having a portion adapted to receive a portion of an upper section of a neck of the bottle, and a second part that fits substantially over the first part, which is relatively movable with respect to the first part and has at least two positions, a first of which is in a free position and a second of which is in an interlocking position whereby a portion of the second part urges against a portion of the first part receiving the upper section of the neck of the bottle so as to be engaging against an outer side of the said first part to hold it thereby to resist release from its interlocking position with respect to the said neck of an industry standard bottle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a closure for a bottle.

In particular, the invention relates to a closure suitable for closing bottles containing carbonated or beverages having high levels of dissolved gas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

There are two main types of wine beverages. The first of these is what is commonly referred to as “un-carbonated” of “still”. That is the wine does not contain a charge of carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolved in the liquid. The second type of wine is “carbonated” in that dissolved within the liquid is CO₂, or some other food grade gas, most common however is CO₂. An example of a carbonated wine is sparkling wine, in which CO₂ is added during secondary fermentation processes.

For either type of wine it is traditional to use a closure made from cork to seal the bottle, although there are a number of alternatives to cork closures including screw-cap closures and synthetic cork replacements. More recently there have been advances in wine closures such as those disclosed in WO04058586A1, which describes a way of sealing a wine bottle containing an un-carbonated wine. Indeed, the wine bottle closure of WO04058586A1 address a number of common problems associated with the use of standard cork closures such as cork taint, as a result of trichloroanisole (TCA) leaching into the wine as well as the general degradation of cork closures that are not kept at the correct conditions.

The most common way in which sparkling wine bottles are closed is with a cork and a retaining wire cage called a “muselet”. The wire cage covers the cork and wraps under the collar of the bottle and held in place by a tightening of the wire. In use, the wire cage is first loosened then may be removed from the cork and the cork then either removed with the aid of a cork extractor or grip or gently levered off by hand. Without the wire cage restraining the cork, the pressure generated inside the bottle by the release of CO₂ from the wine can result in the rapid ejection of the cork.

Indeed, rapid ejection of sparkling wine corks is responsible for 20% of recorded eye injuries caused by bottles containing pressurized drinks in the United States. A 750 ml bottle of sparkling wine contains approximately 4 litres of CO₂ at a pressure of 620 kPa, which can propel a 30 g cork some 13 m. As a result, bottles of sparkling wine in the US now carry labels warning of potential eye injury.

Apart from the potential for eye injury, cork closures on sparkling wine bottles can suffer the same problems as still wine cork closure. This includes the significant problem of cark taint resulting from the TCA leeching from the cork into the sparkling wine and affecting the taste.

In addition, there is the transmission of gas through or past the closure; resulting in loss of CO₂ thus the sparkling wine becomes flat. Approximately 5-10% of sparkling wines suffer this fate.

This then becomes an important quality issue for producers of sparkling wine, as the introduction of TCA into the product and loss of bubbles results in un-acceptance of the wine, and in severe cases the spoilage of entire vintages.

Wine bottle closures, such as those of WO04058586A1, do not suffer from cork taint and still provide a way of closing a standard wine bottle having a collar on the finish of the bottle. However, such closures are not suitable as a closure for bottles containing carbonated beverages, as they do not have the mechanical strength to maintain an acceptable hold onto the collar under pressure.

Plastic corks, have been used, however, these types of closures do not solve the safety issue, are associated with inferior product and are not generally accepted.

Screw cap and crown seal closures have also been used to close sparkling wine bottles, but again the problem is that there is an association of such closures with cheaper products such as soft drinks, and as such they have not been widely accepted by the consuming public.

Moreover, when using cork closure there is the problem of how to re-seal the bottle once it has been opened. Most often a specialized stopper is used to securely close the bottle, as the original cork closure is very difficult to reinsert.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The term “collar” as used herein refers to the ring of material that is placed around the neck of the bottle near the base of the finish. This is often referred to as a “CETIE” (Centre Technique International de I'Embouteillage et du Coditionnement) band

The term “finish” as used herein refers to the top section of the bottle attached to the neck

It is an object of the present invention to provide a closure for bottles containing carbonated beverages that is an alternative to cork closures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure for bottles containing carbonated beverages that attaches to the collar of a standard bottle.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art, including, but not limited to safety, oxidation, taint, extraction, flatness and ability to reseal.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided a bottle closure for bottles containing liquids at high pressure, the closure having a first part and a second part, the first part having a portion adapted to receive a portion of an upper section of a neck of the bottle, and a second part that fits substantially over the first part, which is relatively movable with respect to the first part and has at least two positions, a first of which is in a free position and a second of which is in an interlocking position whereby a portion of the second part urges against a portion of the first part receiving the upper section of the neck of the bottle so as to be engaging against an outer side of the said first part to hold it thereby to resist release from its interlocking position with respect to the said neck of an industry standard bottle.

In preference, the first part includes a body having an outer surround that snaps onto and engages with an interlocking fit an outwardly extending integral collar on a neck of the bottle.

In preference, the first part has a section of an outermost periphery shaped to engage with an inner portion of the second part.

In preference, the second part includes a cap adapted to fit over at least a substantial portion of the body of the first part, the cap engaging with the outer surround in a first holding position so as to provide a compression force against an outer surface of the outer surround to effect a tightening of the outer surround to the bottle.

In preference, there is at least a first seal to be held under compression against the uppermost rim of the bottle mouth.

In preference, the second part further includes a lower surround section.

In preference, the outer surround further includes an upper surround section and a lower surround section.

In preference, the lower surround section extends over the integral collar on the neck of the bottle.

In preference, the lower surround section has an inwardly directed lip that affects the interlocking fit with a lower edge of the integral collar of the bottle.

In preference, the lower surround section is joined to the upper surround section by a weakened zone.

In preference, the lower surround section is a tear away strip.

In preference, the upper surround section has an inwardly directed lip that affects an interlocking fit with a lower edge of an integral bead on the mouth of the bottle.

In preference, the upper surround section has at least a first groove on its outer surface shaped to engage a bead positioned on an inner surface of the cap.

In preference, the upper surround section has a second groove on its outer surface shaped to engage with a bead positioned on an inner surface of the cap, the second groove being located above the first groove to provide a second holding position.

In preference, the second groove is located on the body.

In preference, when in the second holding position the cap no longer provides a compression force against the outer surface of the outer surround.

Thus the cap has at least two positions, the first being a free or open position that does not provide any compression force against the first part (the outer surround) and the second position being the closed or interlocking position in which the can does apply a force to the first part such that it interlocks with the bottle.

In preference, there is a second seal located between the first seal and the body.

In preference, the first seal has a central portion that extends substantially into the mouth of the bottle.

In preference, the central portion has at least one longitudinal groove extending along a direction of elongation of the central portion so as to allow fluid communication (venting of pressurised gas) between the inside of the bottle and the outside of the bottle during extraction of the central portion from the neck of the bottle.

In preference, the at least one longitudinal groove has a first end and a second end, the first end terminating at least substantially midway along the direction of elongation of the central portion.

Another form of the invention can be said to reside in a closure for bottles containing liquids at high pressure, the closure having a first part and a second part, the first part which engages with interlocking fit an outwardly extending neck of the mottle, and a second part which is relatively movable with respect to the said first part and has at least two positions, a first of which is in a free position and a second of which is in an interlocking position whereby to be engaging against an outer side of the said first part to holds it thereby to resist release from its interlocking position with respect to the said neck of the bottle.

The invention may also reside in a bottle closure, where the bottle is of the type having a mouth to be closed, the closure includes a body having an outer surround that snaps onto and engages with an interlocking fit an outwardly extending integral collar on a neck of the bottle, at least a first seal to be held under compression against the uppermost rim of the bottle mouth, and a cap adapted to fit over at least a substantial portion of the body, the cap engaging with the outer surround in a first holding position so as to provide a compression force against an outer surface of the outer surround to effect a tightening of the outer surround to the bottle

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, an employment of the invention is described more fully the renown for with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the invention according to first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bottle closure of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure in FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the bottle closure in FIG. 2, in a closed position, in a bottle.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention bottle closure.

FIG. 6 is e cross-sectional a view of the bottle closure in FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure in a bottle.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure in an open position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure being removed from the bottle.

FIG. 10 is a partial cut away view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the first part of the invention as shown in FIG. 10, without the second part in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the bottle closure 5 inserted into a bottle 7 in an unopened position. The bottle 7 is a type having a mouth to be closed and further includes a bead 19 about the outer face of the neck finish. Such neck finishes are well known to those skilled in the art and the figures of this application clearly show such a typical neck finish.

The bottle closure 5 has a first part with a body 9 with a downward projection portion 11. The downward projection portion 11 has an upper section 13 and a lower section 15, the upper section 13 shaped internally to nestingly fit the outer shape of bead 19 of the bottle 7. The bead 19 is primarily used for a crown seal to engage upon so as to seal the bottle during the primary fermentation stage of sparkling wine. After the primary fermentation stage the bead 19 is not used by conventional cork closures. The lower section 13 is shaped to nestingly fit the integral collar 22 of the bottle 5, which is normally used to secure the wire cage or muslet that covers the cork closure.

The body 9 has an upper groove 17 and lower groove 26, both of which are located around the periphery of the body 9 and are substantially parallel to one another. It would of course be well understood that it might not be necessary for the grooves 17 and 26 to travel completely around the periphery for the bottle closure 5 to work fully.

The upper section 13 has an inwardly directed lip 28 and an adjacent inner face 30 that, in combination, engage the bead 19 securely. The longitudinal apertures 78 extend from the circumferential groove 80 to just above the weakened zone 40 so that when the lower section 40 is removed the individual segments 82 are released, which will still be attached to the body 9.

The lower section 15 is joined to the upper section 13 by a weakened zone 40. In addition, the lower section 15 has a spiraling weakened zone 42 that converges with the weakened zone 40 that allows the lower section 15 to be frangible in that it is pulled apart by the user on opening. The lower section 15 has an inwardly directed lip 44 shaped to abut the lower face 46 of the collar 22 and provide a secure purchase thereto. The inner face 48 of the lower section 15 then presses against the outer face 50 of the neck 52 of the bottle 7.

The closure 5 also has a second-part or cap portion 24, having an inner cavity 34 designed to securely accept the body 9 therein. The cap portion 24 further has an integral bead or ridge 32 extending around the inner chamber 34 and shaped to be at least substantially complimentary to the shape of the upper and lower grooves 17 and 26 respectively such that the ridge 32 can fit within the grooves 17 and 26 in a releasable manner such as to restrict the slidable travel of the cap portion to between the two grooves 17 and 26. About the outer surface 35 of the cap portion 24 are a series of ridges 38 that aid a users ability to grasp the cap portion 24 with their hand.

Positioned within the cavity 54 of the body 9 is a plunger portion 56 having a circumferential flange 58 that is shaped about its periphery to overlap with the upper face 60 of the bead 19 so that the concave portion 62 of the flange 58 comes into direct continuous contact with the upper face 60. The plunger portion 56 is constructed from a food grade plastic material, as it will come into direct contact with the contents of the bottle.

The external diameter 64 of the surface 66 is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the inside of the neck of the bottle so as to ensure a snug fit. This then provides an exceptional barrier to any egress of liquid or gas within the bottle to the outside when the plunger-portion 56 is in place. Notwithstanding this, there is also an additional sealing mechanism being a foil laminate seal 70 located in between the plunger portion 56 and the body 9. This provides a very effective seal against any gas transmission between the contents of the bottle and the outside environment. Such seals are well known to those skilled in the art.

Additionally the plunger portion 56 has longitudinal grooves 72 thereon, extending upwards from the base 74. These grooves allow for a slight controlled outlet of gas from the interior of the bottle during extraction of the plunger port on 56 from the neck of the bottle. Reinforcing segments 74 aid in strengthening the sides of the plunger portion 56. The base 74 is slightly convex in shape.

The cap portion 24 and body 9 are preferably made from a resilient plastic material that has sufficient intrinsic strength not to deform substantially. The plunger portion 56, however, is preferably constructed from a more distortable plastics material than the cap portion 24 and body 9, as it is required to adapt to the shape of the inside surface 84 of the neck 52 of the bottle 7.

FIG. 4, shows the bottle closure 5 in a closed position inserted into a bottle 7. The cap portion 24 is pushed into a holding position so that the integral ridge 32 is placed within the lower groove 26 and provides an inwardly directing force against the upper section 13 of the body 9 to drive the inwardly directing lip 28 up against tee lower face 61 of the bead 19.

This, in combination with the inwardly directing force of the lower section 15 urging the inwardly directing lip 44 against the lower face 46 of the collar 22 and the inner surface 48 against the outer face 50 of the bottle neck 52 provides sufficient force to hold the bottle closure 5 in place against the internal pressure that can develop within a bottle of sparkling wine.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is a closure 100, with a first part having a body 109 and a second part being the cap portion 105.

The cap portion 105 has a lower section 107 is joined to the cap portion 105 by a weakened zone 110. In addition, the lower section 107 has a spiraling weakened zone 112 that converges with the weakened zone 110 that allows the lower section 107 to be frangible in that it is pulled apart by the user on opening. The lower section 107 has an inwardly directed lip 115 shaped to abut the lower face 46 of tie collar 22 and provide a secure purchase thereto. The inner face 117 of the lower section 105 then presses against the outer face 50 of the neck 52 of the bottle 7, as shown in FIG. 7.

Note that the effect is the same as with closure 5, the main difference being that the lower section 105 is attached to the cap 105 and not the first part of the body 109.

The removal of either closure 5 or 100 requires similar steps, and while the following description refers to the removal of the lower section 15 from closure 5, once the either lower section 15 or 105 is removed, the result is similar.

For removal of closure 5, a user first removes the lower section 15 by grasping the cap portion 24 at the ridges 38 and removing the lower section 15 by grasping the tab 86 and pulling outwardly. This results in the lower section breaking first at the weakened zone 42, then at the weakened zone 40 that attaches the lower section 15 to the upper section 13.

The lower section 13 then no longer restricts the segments 82 of the upper section 13. The user then pulls the cap portion 24 upwardly to disengage the integral ridge 32 from the lower groove 26 to then engage the upper groove 17. This is then the open position, and the segments 82 are now free to move about their hinge sections 90 and release their hold on the bead 19 and collar 22 of bottle 7, as shown in FIG. 8.

During removal of the bottle closure 5 the plunger portion 56 is also extracted and any excess gas pressure present in the neck of the bottle is allowed to vent 88 through the longitudinal grooves 72 to the outside atmosphere. The amount of venting is only slight, so that upon final extraction of the plunger portion 56 under normal conditions there is still sufficient pressure of gas to create a detectable popping sound that is closely associated with the opening of sparkling wine bottles. Of course, it is then also possible for a user to elect to vent all the excess gas in the bottle neck if the user were to hold the bottle closure in the position as shown in FIG. 6 for an extended period. Indeed this may be preferable so that there is a gradual release of pressure that minimises the loss of gas from the liquid.

In any case, by requiring that the user slide the cap portion 24 from a first closed position to a second open position before the bottle closure 5 can be removed significantly adds to the safety of such a closure as at all times the user will be in control of the bottle closure 5.

Should the bottle not be chilled sufficiently, then there may well be a dangerously high pressure of gas in the neck of the bottle, but as the user will be required to disengage the cap portion prior to removal of the bottle closure by grasping the cap portion 24 then there is less chance that the bottle closure will be uncontrollably ejected from the bottle.

In addition, the bottle closure 5 can be used to effectively re-seal the bottle by re-inserting the plunger portion 56 into the mouth of the bottle and pushing the cap portion 24 downwards so that the integral ridge 32 disengages the upper groove 1 and slides down to engage the lower groove 26. This action then forces the segments 82 to re-engage the bead 19 of the bottle 7, to hold securely the bottle closure 5 in place. The seal provided by the plunger portion 56 against the inside of the neck 52 is sufficient to stop any of the liquid contents escaping from the bottle.

In a further embodiment of the invention the lower section 103 may be joined directly to the cap portion 102 as shown in FIG. 7. The body 108 then has only the upper section 110, with the segments 112 joined thereto by the hinge sections 114. The plunger portion 56 and seal 70 remain the same. The working of this embodiment is as per previously described, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the bottle closure 200 has a first part 202 and a second part 205.

The first part 202 has a body 207 and a plunger portion 209, which may be integral with the body 207. The upper section 210 of the body 207 has an outer surround with an inwardly directed lip 212 that can engage or urge up against the lower face 61 of the bead 19 of the bottle.

The second part 205 has located about the inner periphery 213, a series of projections 214 that are shaped to fit within and align with the lower section 216 of the groove 215 of the first part 202. The groove 215 is shaped so that in a first position, the second part 205 urges against the engaging elements 218, and by a user twisting the second part 205 the projection 214 are guided to the upper section 217 of the groove 216, thus forcing the second part to move away from the engaging elements 218. The closure 200 can then be readily removed from the bottle 7.

Projection 220 in the grooves 215 provide for a positive tactile feel to inform the user that the second part 205 has been rotated to the appropriate position.

The lower section 222 of the second portion 205 works to engage the collar 22, as per the previous examples.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. 

1. A bottle closure for bottles containing liquids at high pressure, the closure having a first part and a second part, the first part having a portion adapted to receive a portion of an upper section of a neck of the bottle, and a second part that fits substantially over the first part, which is relatively movable with respect to the first part and has at least two positions, a first of which is in a free position and a second of which is in an interlocking position whereby a portion of the second part urges against a portion of the first part receiving the upper section of the neck of the bottle so as to be engaging against an outer side of the first part to hold it thereby to resist release from its interlocking position with respect to the said neck of the bottle, wherein the second part includes a lower section that engages with an interlocking fit an outwardly extending integral collar on a neck of the bottle.
 2. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the first part has a section of an outermost periphery shaped to engage with an inner portion of the second part.
 3. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the second part includes a cap adapted to fit over at least a substantial portion of the body of the first part, the cap engaging with the outer surround of the first part in a first holding position so as to provide a compression force against an outer surface of the outer surround of the first part to effect a tightening of the outer surround to the bottle.
 4. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein there is at least a first seal to be held under compression against the uppermost rim of the bottle mouth.
 5. The bottle closure of claim 4, wherein the lower section has an inwardly directed lip that affects the interlocking fit with a lower edge of the integral collar of the bottle.
 6. The bottle closure of claim 5, wherein the lower surround section is joined to the upper surround section by a weakened zone.
 7. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the lower surround section is a tear away strip.
 8. The bottle closure of claim 7, wherein the upper section of the first part has an inwardly directed lip that affects an interlocking fit with a lower edge of an integral bead on the mouth of the bottle.
 9. The bottle closure of claim 8, wherein the upper section has at least a first groove on its outer surface shaped to engage a bead positioned on an inner surface of the second part.
 10. The bottle closure of claim 9, wherein the upper surround section has a second groove on its outer surface shaped to engage with a bead positioned on an inner surface of the second part, the second groove being located above the first groove to provide a second holding position.
 11. The bottle closure of claim 10, wherein when in the second holding position the cap no longer provides a compression force against the outer surface of the upper section of the first part.
 12. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the cap has at least two positions, the first being a free or open position that does not provide any compression force against the first part and the second position being the closed or interlocking position in which the cap does apply a force to the first part such that the first part interlocks with the bottle.
 13. The bottle closure of claim 12, wherein there is a second seal located between the first seal and the body.
 14. The bottle closure of claim 13, wherein the first seal has a central portion that extends substantially into the mouth of the bottle.
 15. The bottle closure of claim 14, wherein the central portion has at least one longitudinal groove extending along a direction of elongation of the central portion so as to allow fluid communication between the inside of the bottle and the outside of the bottle during extraction of the central portion from the neck of the bottle.
 16. The bottle closure of claim 15, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove has a first end and a second end, the first end terminating at least substantially midway along the direction of elongation of the central portion.
 17. A closure for bottles containing liquids at high pressure, the closure having a first part and a second part, the first part which engages with interlocking fit an outwardly extending neck of the bottle, and a second part which is relatively movable with respect to the said first part and has at least two positions, a first of which is in a free position and a second of which is in an interlocking position whereby to be engaging against an outer side of the said first part to holds it thereby to resist release from its interlocking position with respect to the said neck of the bottle. 18-24. (canceled) 